WEYBURN - Although there was a limited timeline to enact the new rules imposed by the provincial government’s Ministry of Education regarding no cell phones in classrooms this academic year, the South East Cornerstone Public School Division is handling the legislation.
Director of education Keith Keating informed board members during their monthly open business session in Weyburn on Sept. 18 that although the timeline to impose the restrictions on phone use by students was limited, “most schools did an excellent job” in getting the mandate underway and organizing the processes that will restrict the use of personal electronic devices within the school boundaries.
“It was a little rocky off the start, but it seems to be okay now,” he told the board members.
Also during the meeting, some board members provided information about a number of topics they encountered while attending various school community council sessions. The topics ranged from volleyball successes to career fairs and upcoming school board elections, along with other school-related activities and future plans.
Board member Michelle DeBruyne, representing Subdivision 6 (Ogema, Pangman, Yellow Grass, Radville, Gladmar and Oungre) provided information stemming from the recent meeting of the South East District Athletic Association where an awards ceremony was conducted.
DeBruyne reported that an SEDAA award for Service to the division was presented to Nathan Johnson, former principal at the Estevan Comprehensive School and now the division’s superintendent of human resources. Other awards went to Ryan Nichols and Elly Van WinKoop as male and female coaches of the year, respectively, while Kevin Kobitz captured the SEDAA’s Official of the Year Award.
The Cornerstone board will convene again for an open public meeting on Oct. 15 in the conference room at the division’s head office in Weyburn, starting at 1 p.m.
Prior to this session, board chairwoman Audrey Trombley will be meeting with other provincial board chairpersons on Sept. 26, and the Cornerstone board has an Oct. 2 strategic planning meeting to set the stage for their Oct. 15 morning committee session that precedes the open meeting in the afternoon.
